Match-frame



ii 6 Mon-e1.

G, W. GATES.

MATCH FRAME.

No. 383,721. Patented May'ZQ, 1888.,

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W.'GATES, OF OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN.

MATCH-FRAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 383,721, dated May 29, 1888.

Application filed February 17, 1887. Serial No. 227,868. (No model.)

the chemical preparation supplied to them;

and my invention consists in the features and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of my frame or press. end elevation of a portion of the same, taken in the line2 of Fig. 1,with a number of splints in place. Fig. 3 is an end view of a portion of the frame or press, taken in the line 3 of Fig. 1, showing the material between the slats.

of the frame for holding them the proper distance apart.

In. the drawings, A represents the slats out of which my frame or press is composed, B the match-splints, and C the spaces in which the splints are inserted.

In makingmy improved press or frame for holding the splints while they are dipped in the chemical preparation necessary in their manufacture, I employ a series of slats, which may be arranged either in a press or frame, as shown in Fig. 1, of any desired length and width, and held together by bolts or other suitable fastening devices, or which may be arranged on an endless belt or other flexible fastening which will permit the slats to be advanced in regular order and at a graduated speed while receiving the match-splints from the cutting-instrument and while they are being dipped in the proper chemical preparation. I have shown these slats arranged in a frame or press; but as it is obvious that they may be arranged, as I have above said, on an endless belt or flexible means of connection, I do not wish to limit myself to either one or the other, particularly as my improvement relates to other features than the arrangement in a press or on an endless belt. Ihe slats which I employ, as above said, are each made with a convex and concave surface on their respective sides, so that when they are arranged to Fig. 2 is an gether in their proper position the spaces between the slats will be curved, as will be seen by reference to Figs. 2 and 3. After the slats have been made with their sides convex and concave, as above explained, they should be mounted in a frame or 011 an endless belt,with just enough space between them to permit of the match-splint being thrust or forced between them, with sufficient friction caused by the curved shape of the space to retain them securely in place while the chemical preparation is being applied to their ends. This slight bending of the match-splint or rubbing of its sides against the convex and concave surfaces of the slats, so that it will touch or be held at three points, will be understood by an examination of Fig. 2.

Of course it will be understood that my match-holding frame or press is to be used in connection with any of the ordinary and wellknown match-cutting machines now in common use. The match-splints will be forced into the spaces adapted to receive them as they pass from the splint-cutting instrument. As these machines and as other match-holding presses or frames are in common use and are well known, it is unnecessary to further describe the arrangement, location, and operation of the parts with reference to the other parts of the machine.

As above said, the distinguishing feature of my match frame or press lies in the fact that the spaces into which the match-splints are thrust or forced are curved, owing to the shape of the slats, and as to other features and details of construction, I permit as much latitude as may be desired 5 but when I use the term curved as descriptive of the spaces between the slats I do not mean to confine myself to a technical curve, but any space curved or an= gular which will bend the match'splint or bring it into frictional contact with the slats at at least three points.

It is not my intention to claim in this appli cation the subjectmatter of the invention described and claimed in my application filed September 1, 1887, No. 248,501.

Although I consider a frame for holding match-splints which has curved grooves in the sides of its slats to be within my generic claims herein, still, for the purpose of further pro tection, I intend to make this construction the permanently together with curved spaces be- I subject of another or divisional application. tween them, into which the splints are thrust What Iregard as new, and desire to secure and held, substantially as described. by Letters Patent, is- GEO. W. GATES. 5 In a match-splint-holding press or frame, Witnesses:

- the combination of a number of slats concave THOMAS A. BANNING, on the one side and convex on the other, held FRANK L. DOUGLAS. 

